Thread

Big relays are a solution looking for a problem, IMO. We preload our client with our own curated relay, and then people can add their own relays, by logging in.

What is Minitru?

A simple algorithm that learns what you want to see _less_ of, like an email spam filter. We were thinking that it could simply be run backward.

Think Apache SpamAssasin, but turned around, it would be GoldFinder.

This is cool but basically impossible to see the code.

Only over Tor, yeah. Have to install it, to see anything. It's a standard system, tho. The cool idea is just to use it for notes, instead of emails.

Basic idea is that it's a client-side machine-learning spam filter that pushes things you have told it that you don't want to read (maybe starting from your 1984 reports) further down. You curate the algo yourself, over time. If the client also has a gold finder, working the other way around, starting from your lists and things you've quoted or replied to, then it would constantly to refine your suggestions, while you keep control of the refinement process and can intervene, if it goes AWOL.

It does sound something like a dynamic RSS.

This. I have work to do!

The client developer hardcodes that.

** Nah, let's copy anything that works

I feel like most of Nostr just wants to add zaps and Nostr logins to the same things we are trying to free people from instead of building some new and better. TikTok but with Nostr Instagram but with Nostr Twitter but with Nostr etc…

Is that what TikTok does? I imagined like they would push "similar content from random people" onto you, not "content from the same people".

ive never used tiktok. i liked this idea until you said this 😂

You're missing the parts that: 1) most people here are starting off with recommended follows from their client or trending lists, and rarely move on far from there 2) TikTok has a centralized server, not decentralized relays 3) You don't host and manage your own algo, on TikTok

Nobody knows what Tik-Tok does. It's not open-source and it is hosted on a server in China or something.

Couldn't agree more! We have to decide what gets our attention. We can redesign social media completely. We don't need follows. We need intentionally designed roles and spaces for interaction in the digital world. We're building this on @nextblock! Blocks, Neighborhoods, the City, and the Wilds! Everyone you meet is a stranger unless you add them as a contact. Then you can put them on your block (where you see only accounts and activity of 21 people), your neighborhood (same concept as block but no # cap), the city (all NextBlock citizens - we aren't "users", or the Wilds which is all of Nostr). So someone is either a stranger, contact, or neighbor. You can also visit other people's neighborhoods! So less labor on your part of you want to trust someone else to be in charge of what you see for a bit. Lots more to our design on how we think Nostr works without an algorithm. Please do check us out if you have time!

Sorta. I mean, it's unknown, but in my usage, I get heavily dosed by those I'm following. If they don't have new content, I get dosed with the last handful of things I've searched for and then random shit. If you watch the random shit, you're served more from that person or on whatever topic that video was about. Except Bitcoin. I search Bitcoin and never get fed anything on it. I also search stuff like inflation, money, etc. for all those people complaining about the system and then comment on their videos to look into Bitcoin. Somehow, I never get additional content on those topics. At least that is my observations.

it's a great idea. TikTok does this with the goal of TikTok making money. fiatjaf can do it with a goal of making a better experience for new nostriches

I say yes. I think people sometimes forget the nature of the openness of Nostr. Unconscious interaction based applications can coexist with conscious interaction based applications. As other have pointed out, there are advantages to having this approach that isn't brain rot. Unconscious interaction does a good job recommending users to follow, expanding your network, which is even more needed on Nostr (especially when starting out). E.g.: 1) Start out on Nostr -> social network doesn't exist 2) Use unconscious interaction based application -> create good base of initial users to follow 3) Stop using application and move to conscious interaction based application -> no brain rot

usually when you interact with someone’s content on tiktok it’ll push you more of their content as you scroll on.

i don’t think it’s a bad thing to make something like tiktok. a lot of people have a negative attitude towards it, but it’s insanely popular.

This sounds interesting, I like the ability to check in on contacts manually -- with some help from the app so I don't have to type names all the time and remember that people exist. I'm curious about how this looks like in the actual app UI. The website is impressive, but totally vague.

Thanks! Let's talk! I know @Ian would love to share our plans/vision/progress work. I will send you a DM!